Tag: Outdoors

A friend of mine recently asked me to be the photographer for her mom’s wedding. I was shocked and tried containing my excitement while driving home from a weekend family trip.

Side note: To be clear, I am not, by any means, a photographer. At best, I am an amateur. I enjoy taking photos and consider it a hobby. While I pretty much grew up with a camera in my hand, I only have my phone these days.

Being asked to take on the responsibility of recording this special day was a little nerve wracking. But, I was so excited. I said yes. I didn’t even hesitate. I took this as an opportunity to do something I enjoy for people I care about and respect.

First thing when we arrived home, I dug out the cameras – one film, a DSLR, and a hybrid, realized the lens of one might be scratched (Thanks to a certain little one who finds things) and that I don’t have film. Then, I ordered a new lens cap, battery charger, batteries, and film – black and while because it’s a wedding.

The next day, I started taking pictures. My son was the star as was the flower bed. I figured that my son would be a perfect “model” since he’s always on the go. It’d be a great way to test any skills I might have left.

Currently, I’m waiting for everything I ordered so I can practice with each camera, and I’m truly hoping I don’t mess anything up and ruin this woman’s wedding pictures. I’m watching YouTube tutorials and asking my dad, a former photographer, for advice. I’m remembering the exhilaration I felt when taking photos, the feeling that I’m preserving memories and emotions. I’m remembering how much I loved to take pictures… of EVERYTHING. I’d take a picture of carpet or a wall when I was growing up just to take a picture.

Re-learning how to look into a viewfinder and how to take a picture of what I feel looks good is amazing. If you haven’t noticed, I’m SOOOO excited to be doing this, to be learning something again, to be remembering things I haven’t thought about in years, to be dedicating hours of reading, watching, practicing…

Here’s to doing the best I can.

-T

P.S. Some of my favorite shots… (always open to constructive criticism)

The St. Augustine Aquarium was a great trip for my 2 year old. Currently, they have only opened phase 1, so there’s not too much to see. However, there are options for things to do of all age ranges. They offer snorkeling and zip-lining for adults/older kids, and there’s a shark tooth hunt (included in the entrance fee) and all the fish (including a touch tank) for the little ones. There are also different presentations throughout the day. If you just wanted to walk through, it’d probably take you about 20 minutes, give or take, depending on how much time you spend at each tank. We spent a total of about 1 hour at the aquarium because my son loved looking at each tank for an extended period of time.

The entrance fee is $8 for adults and $5 for kids. I didn’t have to pay for my son, which was a plus.

They offer options to feed the sharks/rays for $10 per/feeding, and snorkeling at $35 per/person. There are also two zip-lining options – general admission, adults at $59.95; and, mini castaway admission, children under 12 at $54.95.

All in all, would I go again? Yes, I would definitely go here again. We’re excited to finally have an aquarium within an hour away, and we look forward to the other phases to open. However, I can’t imagine coming here very often until then.